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Short Term Events

Any event that lasts 45 days or less where temporary structures and facilities are required is a Short Term Event. These events can be for revivals, carnivals, assemblies, circuses, sporting tournaments and for the sale of items such as sparklers, Christmas trees, pumpkins, stuffed animals and/or flowers.

Temporary Structures

The following temporary structures can be included under the Short Term Event:

Membrane structures (tents)

Stages

Bleachers

Towers for lighting or sound systems

Platforms

Lifts

Ramps

Non-portable ventilation systems

Enclosed cooking facilities

Not all temporary structures utilized in a Short Term Event require building permits. No building permits are required for membrane structures (tents) that are 10 x 12 in size or less provided the tents are not being utilized for the sale of items such as sparklers, Christmas trees, pumpkins, stuffed animals and/or flowers.

Applying for a Short Term Event Permit

You will be required to bring

A completed permit application signed by a qualified applicant (for further details refer to Chapter 10 of the Code of Miami-Dade County or Chapter 489 of the Florida Statutes);

Two completed sets of plans showing all property lines, together with dimensions of same; all street(s) or avenue(s) on which the property is located; the location, setback, dimensions and description of all existing buildings, light standards, driveways, customer parking areas and the size, location and setbacks of all the temporary structure(s); the location and number of restroom facilities.

Plans detailing the structures must comply with the Florida Building Code and NFPA 102.

All plans must include structural calculations and when applicable, a copy of the Class A flame spread certification.

Plans must be signed and sealed by a State of Florida licensed and registered architect or engineer.

Additionally, you must have in the plans a completed Professional Certification for Short Term Event Affidavit and Verification Form.

The form must be signed by the property owner, event holder, prime contractor and all applicable subsidiary contractors (electrical, plumbing, mechanical).

Additionally, the form requires the signature and seal of a Florida licensed and registered architect or engineer who will be responsible for performing plan reviews and inspections for Florida Building Code requirements.

The Building Official will rely on the Affidavit to issue the permit without examination of the plans. However, the plans will be reviewed by other applicable agencies including, but not limited to the Regulatory and Economic Resources Department and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.

Additional requirements for events and membrane structures are outlined below:

Your event permit includes all trade related work (electrical, plumbing, or mechanical permits). That is why your subsidiary contractors are required to sign the Professional Certification for Short Term Events Affidavit and Verification forms.

This information is being provided to you as a guide to assist you with the building permitting process for Short Term Events. Please contact each applicable agency to verify and obtain recent information. In addition to obtaining a special event permit from the Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources, a Certificate of Use (CU) is also required for an event that generates revenue from ticket sales, registration fees and/ or retail sales of merchandise, food and drink. A CU is also required for holiday tent sales for pumpkins, Christmas trees, 4th of July and New Year’s Eve fireworks, Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. A site that qualifies for a holiday sales event can only have two events per year. For more information, read about Certificate of Use requirements.

Inspections

The Department will rely on the professional who signed the Affidavit to inspect the erection and installation of all temporary facilities and will perform an inspection 7 days after the event's conclusion only to ensure all temporary structures have been removed. However, other departments may require you to call for other inspections during construction. Check the permit card for details.

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